Rail clip

ABSTRACT

An improved rail clip secures the flange of a railroad rail to a supporting cross member, with the outer end portion of the clip seated on the cross member, and two bearing portions in contact with the rail flange. The outer end portion and the bearing portions are connected together by an improved rail clip structure that provides a better grip of the rail to the cross member when a fasteners, such as a bolt, compresses the rail clip against both the cross member and the rail flange.

United States Patent Kasuba Sept. 9, 1975 [5 RAIL CLIP 3,610,526 lU/l97l Burwell .4 238/349 X 3,S3l,842 8 1974 T' r. 238 283 X [75] Inventor: John A Kasuba, Painesville, Ohio dmum [73] Assignee: True Temp r C p at Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr

Cleveland, Ohio Assistant Examiner-Randolph A Reese [22] Filed: Apr. l, 1974 21 Appl. No: 457,067 [57] ABSTRACT An improved rail clip secures the flange of a railroad 52 0.5. CI 7. 238/349; 238/315 '1 3 g i r f" s "3 5| 1m. Cl. EOlB 9/30; EOIB 9/34 f 3" e 3 [58] Field of Search 238/349, 2n, 282. 283, W0 eamg as e The outer end portion and the bearing portions are connected together by an improved rail clip structure References Cited that provldes a better grip of the rail to the cross member when a fasteners, such as a bolt, compresses UNITED STATES PATENTS the rail clip against both the cross member and the rail 1362,63) l/l968 VanSunt 238/349 flange.

3,436.0]8 4/l969 Alexanden. 238/349 3.477.642 [1/1969 Jackson 238/349 20 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SEP 9 I975 sum 2 of 2 RAIL CLIP This invention relates to an improved rail fastener or rail clip that is used in securing the base flange ofa railroad rail to a supporting cross member, such as a concrete cross tie. The rail clip is of the same general kind as the clip disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,477,642, granted Nov. 11, I969 to C. T. Jackson, and assigned, by mesnc assignments, to True Temper Corporation.

The rail clip of the subject invention is an improvement over the clip of the Jackson patent, and provides a more secure grip of the rail to the cross member. This grip is obtained by a novel design and arrangement of structural members which, when compressed by a fastening means, bend in a manner that is different than the bending of either the rail clip of the Jackson patent or other prior art rail clips.

The main purpose of a rail clip is to hold the rail firmly to the cross tie and prevent both creeping and lateral movement of the rail. It is particularly important that the rail clip be able to hold the rail firmly from such movement while the rail is sustaining loads from passing railway equipment. Thus, the rail clip must be strong and rigid enough to hold the rail fixed against creeping and lateral shifting, and must be resilient enough to move with the rail during movement under heavy loads.

One problem with many prior art rail clips, particu larly one-piece rail clips, is that they are not only resilient in a direction vertical to the rail, but they are too resilient in a direction lateral to the rail. For instance, in US. Pat. No. 3,436,018, issued Apr. I, 1969 to R. L. Alexander, a rail clip is shown wherein rocking contact with both the rail flange and the supporting cross tie occurs when the rail moves vertically under loads. However, the bcaring surfaces of the rail clip spread apart during such rocking and an undesired lateral movement. as well as vertical movement of the rail,

may occur.

Another problem with prior art rail clips is that the surfaces of the rail clip which bear against the rail flange and the cross tie are designed such that they are loaded unevenly, causing the rail clip to rock from side to side during use. Both this type of rocking and the type of rocking mentioned above tend to loosen the rail clip and reduce its effectiveness in holding the rail from longitudinal and lateral movement.

Still another problem with many prior art rail clips is that the portions of the clips which bear on the cross tic are formed in a manner that causes them to dig into the cross tie during flexing. rocking, or other movement of the rail clip. Since the cross tie is usually of concrete, this digging causes the cross tie to spall, and eventually, the seat for the rail clip provided in the cross tie is worn away, and the rail clip becomes loose.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rail fastener with an improved structure that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of prior rail fasteners and holds the rail firmly from both longitudinal and lateral movement, even while the rail is flexing under heavy loads.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail fastener wherein stable loading is accomplished.

A still further object is to provide a rail fastener wherein the effective spring effect of the same is more evenly distributed than in the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rail fastener which will hold the rail to the tie under substantially even pressure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rail fastener that is easy and economical to manufacture and can be easily installed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rail fastener that does not need to be retightened or replaced as frequently as prior rail fasteners.

These and other objects of the invention and its numerous advantages will be readily understood from the following description of the invention, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a rail clip illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the rail clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a rail and supporting cross tie, with the rail held to the cross tie by means of two rail clips like the one of FIGS. 1 through 3, mounted on opposite sides of the rail;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rail clip showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view ofthe rail clip of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the rail clip 10 is made from a single metal plate by performing certain bending, cutting, and punching operations. The rail clip 10 has a substantially flat central portion or plate 11 with an oblong passageway 12 punched through its center. An outer end portion 13 includes a wall 14 downwardly bent from the central portion 1] and merging at its lower end into a U-shaped channel IS. The outer end portion 13 then terminates in an upwardly bent part 16. Thus formed, the outer end portion 13 is designed to seat upon a correspondingly shaped bearing seat of a railroad cross tie, as will be more fully explained below.

At the other end of the rail clip 10 is an inner end portion 17 that is upwardly bent from the central portion I1 and preferably includes a flat plate 18. On the bottom surface of the flat plate 18 is a top bearing means 18a, designed to overlie the top surface of a rail flange. Preferably, the central portion II has a downward curve I9 adjacent to the place from where the inner end portion I7 is bent upwardly.

Between the outer end portion I3 and the inner end portion 17, the rail clip 10 is cut in two places along lines that preferably converge as they approach the inner end portion 17. These cuts form two side strips 20 and 21 that extend adjacent to either side of the central portion 1 l. The strips 20 and 21 have leg portions 22 and 23 that are bent downwardly from the central portion 1 l at locations inward, or toward the rail, from passageway 12. Preferably, these legs 22 and 23 are bent downwardly from the downward curve I9 in the central portion 1], so as to form a continuous arcuate section with the central portion 11. The legs 22 and 23 extend downwardly a sufficient distance to provide lateral bearing means 24 and 25 for contact with the side edge of a rail flange.

From the bearing means 24 and 25, the side strips 20 and 2] are bent to form arm portions 26 and 27 that extend substantially parallel to the central portion 11 of the rail clip I0. The arms 26 and 27 are joined to the outer end portion I3, preferably at a location near the U-shaped channel 15.

FIG. 4 shows two rail clips 10 positioned on both the field and gauge sides of a rail 30 to secure the rail flange 31 to a supporting concrete cross tie 32. A pad 33 of polyethylene or other resilient material provides a cushion between the rail flange 31 and cross tie 32 and allows the rail 30 to move up and down under the loads of passing trains. Tubular anchor nuts 34 embedded in holes in the concrete cross tie 32 receive fasten ing bolts 35. The rail clips [0, which are of the same design on both the gauge and field sides of the rail 30, are interposed between the heads of bolts 35 and the cross tic 32. Each bolt 35 is disposed in an elongated passageway I2 of one of the rail clips IO, and upon tightening of the same, the head of the bolt 35 presses against the central portion 11 of the rail clip I0.

Under this pressure of the bolt 35, the rail clip It) bears against three seats or hearing locations, one, on the cross tie 32, and two on the rail flange 31. First, the outer end portion I3 with its convex outer bearing surface formed at the U-shaped channel I seats in a concave cavity 36 formed in the cross tie 32. Preferably, the free end of the outer end portion 13 extends above the concave or curved portion of the cavity or bearing seat 36 so that the end does not tend to dig into the bearing surface 36 and cause spalling of the concrete cross tie 32. It may even be preferable to extend the outer end portion 13 to a location that is level with, as shown in the drawing in FIG. 4, or above the top sur face 37 of the cross tie 32, to reduce further the likelihood of spalling or abrading.

The second bearing seat of the rail clip is provided by the top bearing means 180 of inner end portion [7 overlying the top surface of the rail flange 31. Finally, for the third bearing seat, lateral bearing means 24 and on legs 22 and 23 engage the side edge of the rail flange 3]. This third bearing seat is spaced a substantially fixed distance from the bearing seat of the outer end portion 13 by the arm portions 26 and 27.

The rail clip I0 is preferably heat treated in the same manner as the rail clip shown in US. Pat. No. 3,477,642 to C. T. Jackson, to provide the desired spring qualities in the metal from which the rail clip is made. Thus, when pressure is applied to the rail clip I0 by tightening the bolt 35, the various structural mem bers ofthe rail clip I0 bend resiliently to apply a springlike grip to the rail flange 31. The central portion II tends to flex downwardly and inwardly toward the rail flange 31 to apply pressure on the inner end portion I7 overlying the top of rail flange 3|, while the wall section 14 of outer end portion 13 and the leg portions 22 and 23 tend to pivot about their lower ends toward the rail 30. The passageway I2 is elongated to permit the central portion II to move inwardly while axis of bolt remains fixed. It will be observed in FIG. 3 that a parallelogram is formed by the wall portion [4 on one side, central portion 11 on top, leg portions 22 and 23 on the other side, and arm portions 26 and 27 on the bottom. While the top and sides of the parallelogram are moving as described above, the arm portions 26 and 27 remain relatively fixed. It is this relatively rigid positioning ofthc arm portions 26 and 27 that holds the bearing means 24 and 25 in a fixed spaced position from the outer end portion 13, thereby preventing lateral movement of the rail flange 31.

Thus, the rail clip I0 provides an improved structure which in response to the compression of bolt 35 maintains a very secure grip on the rail flange at all times. Under such compression the rail clip I0 is able to move and bend resiliently with the varying loads applied to the rail 30 substantially distributed over the entire clip, yet at the same time rigid engagement with the rail flange 31 is secured to prevent longitudinal motion of the rail 30, arms 26 and 27 being securely mounted to obstruct lateral movement of the rail.

It will also be noted that the bearing surfaces provided on the outer end portion 13 and the inner end portion 17 extend the entire width of the rail clip I0. Thus, the rail clip 10 is supported on either end by two very wide bearing seats that give it a firm, wellbalaneed support. This kind of support is in contrast to prior one-piece rail clips formed from a single flat plate, where part of a bearing surface is cut away in order to form flanges of one kind or another.

For additional strength, the side strips 20 and 21 are preferably cut wider at their leg portions 22 and 23 than at the arm portions 26 and 27. This gives the leg portions added strength to endure the flexing which they undergo when loads pass over the rail 30. The arm portions are relatively stationary, and do not need to be as wide. On the other hand, the central portion ll needs to be widest in the area adjacent the narrower arm portions 26 and 27, which is in the vicinity of the passageway I2, where the central portion 11 receives the compression of the bolt 35. Thus, the strength rcquircments of both the central portion II and the side strips 20 and 21 are conveniently met by cutting the rail clip 10 along lines that converge as they approach the inner portion 17.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 illustrates a rail clip formed the same way as the rail clip 10 of FIGS. I through 4, except for the addition of four stress-relieving apertures I40 positioned at the ends of lines along which the rail clip is cut to form side strips I20 and 121.

With repeated flexing of the rail clip 110, there is a concentration of mechanical stress at the junctures where the side plates I20 and 12] merge with central portion I I I and the outer end portion 113. Such stress concentrations might normally cause the rail clip to crack or even break at these junctures, but the holes act to relieve these stress concentrations and re duce the possibility of such cracks or breakage. Whether such holes are desirable depends on the envi ronmcnt in which the rail clip is employed and the severity of the bending to which it is subjected.

While the invention has been shown and described in connection with the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood that modifications, additions, or deletions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention What I claim is:

I. A rail fastener for securing the flange of a rail to a supporting cross member comprising in combination:

a rail clip having an outer end portion seated upon said cross memher.

an inner end portion provided with a top bearing means overlying said rail flange.

a central plate connecting said end portions and having a passageway extending thcrethrough.

leg means depending from said central plate and spaced inwardly of said passageway, said leg means provided with a side bearing means engaging an edge of said rail flange. and

arm means offset downwardly with respect to said plate and rigidly connecting said bearing means of the leg means and said outer end portion of the clip to hold said side bearing means and said outer end portions in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship; and

a fastening member which is secured to said cross member and which extends through said passageway in said central plate and bears on said central plate to press the same toward said cross member and hold said rail clip firmly compressed at its inner end portion to said rail flange and at its outer end portion to said cross member.

2. The rail fastener as set forth in claim 1 with:

said leg means having a portion thereof disposed at a bias to said central plate and bending inwardly toward said rail flange as said central plate is pressed toward said cross member.

3. The rail fastener as set forth in claim 1 with:

said leg means and arm means including respectively legs and arms disposed on both sides of said resilient central plate,

4. The rail fastener as set forth in claim 3 with:

said legs each having a portion thereof disposed at a bias to the plane of said central plate and bending inwardly toward said rail flange as said central plate is pressed toward said cross member.

5. The rail fastener as set forth in claim 1 with:

said bearing means on said inner end portion of the rail clip having at least the same length of contact with said rail flange as said outer end portion of the rail clip has with said cross member.

6. A rail clip for securing the horizontal flange of a rail to a supporting cross member with a concave hearing seat spaced from said rail flange, said rail clip comprising a plate having:

a substantially flat central portion with a passageway for receiving a fastening member,

an outer end portion bent downwardly from said central portion and then bent upwardly to form a U- shaped channel with a convex outer bearing surface that seats on said concave bearing surface of said cross member.

an inner end portion extending from said central portion and provided with a top bearing means overlying said top surface of said rail flange.

said plate being cut along lines extending between said end portions to form two side strips disposed adjacent to either side of said central portion the ends of which are integrally connected to said end portions. each of said strips being bcnt downwardly from said central portion at locations inward from said passageway to form a leg portion with a lateral bearing means engaging an edge of said rail flange, each of said strips also having an arm portion bent from said lateral bearing means and extending sub stantially parallel to said central portion tojoin said downwardly bent outer end portion of the rail clip, said arm portions of said strip thereby being positioned to hold said bearing means of said leg means and said outer end portion in a substantially lixed spaced apart relationship.

7. The rail clip as set forth in claim 6 with:

said leg portions of said strips each having a portion thereof disposed at a bias to the plane of said central portion. 8. The rail clip of claim 6 with: said plate being apertured to relieve mechanical stress at the ends of the lines along which said plate is cut. 9. The rail clip of claim 6 with: said outer end portion having its upwardly bent part extending above said concave bearing seat to provide a reduced-spalling engagement of said outer end portion with said bearing seat. 10. The rail clip of claim 6 with: said inner end portion being bent upwardly from said central portion and including a flat plate with the underneath side thereof forming said top bearing means overlying said top surface of said rail flange. 11. A rail clip for securing the horizontal flange of a rail to a supporting cross member with a concave bearing seat spaced from said rail flange, said rail clip comprising a plate having:

a substantially flat central portion with a passageway for receiving a fastening member, an outer end portion bent downwardly from said central portion and then bent upwardly to form a U- shaped channel with a convex outer bearing surface that seats on said concave bearing surface of said cross member, an inner end portion extending from said central portion and provided with a top bearing rneans overlying said top surface of said rail flange, said plate being cut along lines extending between said end portions to form two side strips that extend adjacent to either side of said central portion, each of said strips being bent downwardly from said central portion at locations inward from said passageway to form a leg portion with a lateral bearing means engaging an edge of said rail flange, each of said strips also having an arm portion bent from said lateral bearing means and extending substantially parallel to said central portion to join said downwardly bent outer end portion of the rail clip, said arm portions of said strip thereby being positioned to hold said bearing means of said leg means and said outer end portion in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship, said leg portions of said strips each having a portion thereof disposed at a bias to the plane of said cen tral portion, said plate having a downward curve in its central por tion in the location from where said leg portions of said strips are bent, and said leg portions also being carved in the same direction as said downward curve in said central portion to form therewith a continuous arcuate section in said rail clip having its concave surface facing said rail flange. [2. The rail clip of claim ll with: said plate being cut along lines that converge toward each other in the direction of said inner end portion of the rail clip to form side strips with leg portions that are relatively wide and arm portions that are relatively narrow. while at the same time forming a central portion that is relatively narrow where said leg portions join said central portion, but relatively wide in the area of said opening for receiving said fastening member.

13. The rail clip as set forth in claim 11 with: said inner end portion extending across both said central portion and said adjacent strips and having a top bearing means that has at least the same length of contact with said rail flange as the combined width of said central portion and said adjacent strips. 14. The rail clip as set forth in claim 13 with: the part of said outer end portion that is outwardly beyond the location where said arm portions of said strips are joined therewith having at least the same length of contact with said cross member as the combined width of said central portion and said adjacent strips 15. A rail clip for securing the horizontal flange of a rail to a supporting cross member with a concave bearing seat spaced from said rail flange, said rail clip comprising a plate having:

a substantially flat central portion with a passageway for receiving a fastening member, an outer end portion bent downwardly from said central portion and then bent upwardly to form a U- shaped channel with a convex outer bearing surface that seats on said concave bearing surface of said cross member, an inner end portion extending from said central portion and provided with a top bearing means overlying said top surface of said rail flange,

said plate being cut along lines extending between said end portions to form two side strips that extend adjacent to either side of said central portion, each of said strips being bent downwardly from said central portion at locations inward from said passageway to form a leg portion with a lateral bearing means engaging an edge of said rail flange, each of said strips also having an arm portion bent from said lateral bearing means and extending substantially parallel to said central portion to join said downwardly bent outer end portion of the rail clip, said arm portions of said strip thereby being positioned to hold said bearing means of said leg means and said outer end portion in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship,

said inner end portion extending across both said central portion and said adjacent strips and having a top bearing means that has at least the same length of contact with said rail flange as the combined width of said central portion and said adjacent strips.

16. The rail clip of claim 15 with:

the part of said outer end portion that is outwardly beyond the location Where said arm portions of said strips are joined therewith having at least the same length of contact as the combined width of said plate being cut along lines generally parallel with and spaced inwardly from said side edges and extending between said end portions but not through at least said inner end portion to provide side strip means in the form of a pair of coplanar side strips and a central strip means, both of said strip means being integrally connected across at least the inner end of said fastener by said inner end portion,

said central strip means having a passageway disposed betwcen said end portions for receiving a fastening member,

one of said strip means being downwardly offset with respect to the other said strip means and extending inwardly adjacent to the bottom of said downwardly bent portion generally parallel with the other said strip means,

the inner end of said one strip means having upwardly bent leg means comprising lateral bearing means adapted to engage an edge of the rail flange in use of said rail fastener.

18. A rail fastener for securing the flange of a rail to a supporting cross member having a bearing seat spaced from the rail flange, said fastener comprising a plate having:

spaced apart, opposite side edges,

an outer end portion bent downwardly and providing a bearing surface adapted to engage the bearing scat,

an inner end portion provided with a top bearing means adapted to overlie the top surface of the rail flange, said plate being cut along lines generally parallel with and spaced inwardly from said side edges and extending between but not through said end portions to provide side strip means in the form of a pair of coplanar side strips and a central strip means, both of said strip means being integrally connected across the ends of said fastener by said end portion,

said central strip means having a passageway disposed between said end portions for receiving a fastening member,

one of said strip means being downwardly offset with respect to the other said strip means and extending inwardly from said downwardly bent outer end portion downwardly spaced from and generally parallel with the other said strip means,

the inner end of said one strip means having up wardly bent leg means comprising lateral bearing means adapted to engage an edge of the rail flange, said one strip means holding said bearing surface and said leg means in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship.

19. A rail fastener for securing the flange of a rail to a supporting cross member having a bearing seat spaced from the rail flange, said fastener comprising a plate having:

spaced apart, opposite side edges,

an outer end portion bent downwardly and then outwardly and upwardly to form a downwardly offset, U-shapcd channel having a convex outer bearing surface adapted to engage the bearing seat;

an inner end portion provided with a top bearing means adapted to overlie the top surface of the rail flange,

said plate being cut along lines generally parallel with and spaced inwardly from said side edges and extending between but not through said end portions to provide side strip means in the form of a pair of coplanar side strips and a central strip means. both of said strip means being integrally connected across the ends of said fastener by said end por- U-shaped channel having a convex outer bearing surface adapted to engage the bearing seat,

an inner end portion provided with a top bearing means adapted to overlie the top surface of the rail i 5 flange. said central "P F' having g f): said plate being cut along lines generally parallel with fposed betweenb said end portions for receiving a and Spaced inwardly from Said Side edges and astcnmg mcm tendin between but not throu h said end ortions one of said strip means being downwardly offset with to Droid: a pair of coplanar Sigdc Strips s 3 Cam ,respect to "T other smd Smp means n extcndmg tral strip all of which are integrally connected inwardly adjacent m the bottom of Said UShapgd across the ends ofsaid fastener b said end ortion channel generally parallel with the other said strip I 1 y p means the inner end of said one strip means having said central Strip having d passageway disposed hc' p y hem g means Comprising lateral heap tween said end portion for receiving a fastening ing means adapted to engage an edge of the rail [5 m m flange Said one Strip means holding Said bearing said side strips being downwardly offset with respect surface of Said U shupcd Channel and said leg to said central strip and extending inwardly ad a means in a substantially fixed spaced apart rela- Cent t0 the ofsald P channel gcncr tionship ally parallel with said central strip. 20. A rail fastener for securing the flange of a rail to the ends of 531d lf slde Smps llavmg a supporting cross member having a bearing seat wardly bent legs compnsmg lateral bfmrmg means spaced from the rail flange, said fastener comprising a adaptcd engage an edge of the flangcsiild plate having: side strips holding said bearing surface of said U- spaccd apart. opposite side edges, shaped channel and said legs in a substantially fixed an outer end portion bent downwardly and then outspaced apart relationship.

wardly and upwardly to form a downwardly offset, 

1. A rail fastener for securing the flange of a rail to a supporting cross member comprising in combination: a rail clip having an outer end portion seated upon said cross member, an inner end portion provided with a top bearing means overlying said rail flange, a central plate connecting said end portions and having a passageway extending therethrough, leg means depending from said central plate and spaced inwardly of said passageway, said leg means provided with a side bearing means engaging an edge of said rail flange, and arm means offset downwardly with respect to said plate and rigidly connecting said bearing means of the leg means and said outer end portion of the clip to hold said side bearing means and said outer end portions in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship; and a fastening member which is secured to said cross member and which extends through said passageway in said central plate and bears on said central plate to press the same toward said cross member and hold said rail clip firmly compressed at its inner end portion to said rail flange and at its outer end portion to said cross member.
 2. The rail fastener as set forth in claim 1 with: said leg means having a portion thereof disposed at a bias to said central plate and bending inwardly toward said rail flange as said central plate is pressed toward said cross member.
 3. The rail fastener as set forth in claim 1 with: said leg means and arm means including respectively legs and arms disposed on both sides of said resilient central plate.
 4. The rail fastener as set forth in claim 3 witH: said legs each having a portion thereof disposed at a bias to the plane of said central plate and bending inwardly toward said rail flange as said central plate is pressed toward said cross member.
 5. The rail fastener as set forth in claim 1 with: said bearing means on said inner end portion of the rail clip having at least the same length of contact with said rail flange as said outer end portion of the rail clip has with said cross member.
 6. A rail clip for securing the horizontal flange of a rail to a supporting cross member with a concave bearing seat spaced from said rail flange, said rail clip comprising a plate having: a substantially flat central portion with a passageway for receiving a fastening member, an outer end portion bent downwardly from said central portion and then bent upwardly to form a U-shaped channel with a convex outer bearing surface that seats on said concave bearing surface of said cross member, an inner end portion extending from said central portion and provided with a top bearing means overlying said top surface of said rail flange, said plate being cut along lines extending between said end portions to form two side strips disposed adjacent to either side of said central portion the ends of which are integrally connected to said end portions, each of said strips being bent downwardly from said central portion at locations inward from said passageway to form a leg portion with a lateral bearing means engaging an edge of said rail flange, each of said strips also having an arm portion bent from said lateral bearing means and extending substantially parallel to said central portion to join said downwardly bent outer end portion of the rail clip, said arm portions of said strip thereby being positioned to hold said bearing means of said leg means and said outer end portion in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship.
 7. The rail clip as set forth in claim 6 with: said leg portions of said strips each having a portion thereof disposed at a bias to the plane of said central portion.
 8. The rail clip of claim 6 with: said plate being apertured to relieve mechanical stress at the ends of the lines along which said plate is cut.
 9. The rail clip of claim 6 with: said outer end portion having its upwardly bent part extending above said concave bearing seat to provide a reduced-spalling engagement of said outer end portion with said bearing seat.
 10. The rail clip of claim 6 with: said inner end portion being bent upwardly from said central portion and including a flat plate with the underneath side thereof forming said top bearing means overlying said top surface of said rail flange.
 11. A rail clip for securing the horizontal flange of a rail to a supporting cross member with a concave bearing seat spaced from said rail flange, said rail clip comprising a plate having: a substantially flat central portion with a passageway for receiving a fastening member, an outer end portion bent downwardly from said central portion and then bent upwardly to form a U-shaped channel with a convex outer bearing surface that seats on said concave bearing surface of said cross member, an inner end portion extending from said central portion and provided with a top bearing means overlying said top surface of said rail flange, said plate being cut along lines extending between said end portions to form two side strips that extend adjacent to either side of said central portion, each of said strips being bent downwardly from said central portion at locations inward from said passageway to form a leg portion with a lateral bearing means engaging an edge of said rail flange, each of said strips also having an arm portion bent from said lateral bearing means and extending substantially parallel to said central portion to join said downwardly bent outer end portion of the rail clip, said arm portions of said strip thereby being positioned to hold said bearing means of said leg means and said outer end portion in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship, said leg portions of said strips each having a portion thereof disposed at a bias to the plane of said central portion, said plate having a downward curve in its central portion in the location from where said leg portions of said strips are bent, and said leg portions also being curved in the same direction as said downward curve in said central portion to form therewith a continuous arcuate section in said rail clip having its concave surface facing said rail flange.
 12. The rail clip of claim 11 with: said plate being cut along lines that converge toward each other in the direction of said inner end portion of the rail clip to form side strips with leg portions that are relatively wide and arm portions that are relatively narrow, while at the same time forming a central portion that is relatively narrow where said leg portions join said central portion, but relatively wide in the area of said opening for receiving said fastening member.
 13. The rail clip as set forth in claim 11 with: said inner end portion extending across both said central portion and said adjacent strips and having a top bearing means that has at least the same length of contact with said rail flange as the combined width of said central portion and said adjacent strips.
 14. The rail clip as set forth in claim 13 with: the part of said outer end portion that is outwardly beyond the location where said arm portions of said strips are joined therewith having at least the same length of contact with said cross member as the combined width of said central portion and said adjacent strips.
 15. A rail clip for securing the horizontal flange of a rail to a supporting cross member with a concave bearing seat spaced from said rail flange, said rail clip comprising a plate having: a substantially flat central portion with a passageway for receiving a fastening member, an outer end portion bent downwardly from said central portion and then bent upwardly to form a U-shaped channel with a convex outer bearing surface that seats on said concave bearing surface of said cross member, an inner end portion extending from said central portion and provided with a top bearing means overlying said top surface of said rail flange, said plate being cut along lines extending between said end portions to form two side strips that extend adjacent to either side of said central portion, each of said strips being bent downwardly from said central portion at locations inward from said passageway to form a leg portion with a lateral bearing means engaging an edge of said rail flange, each of said strips also having an arm portion bent from said lateral bearing means and extending substantially parallel to said central portion to join said downwardly bent outer end portion of the rail clip, said arm portions of said strip thereby being positioned to hold said bearing means of said leg means and said outer end portion in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship, said inner end portion extending across both said central portion and said adjacent strips and having a top bearing means that has at least the same length of contact with said rail flange as the combined width of said central portion and said adjacent strips.
 16. The rail clip of claim 15 with: the part of said outer end portion that is outwardly beyond the location where said arm portions of said strips are joined therewith having at least the same length of contact as the combined width of said central portion and said adjacent strips.
 17. A rail fastener for securing the flange of a rail to a supporting cross member having a bearing seat spaced from the rail flange, said fastener comprising a plate having: spaced apart, opposite side edges, an outer edge portion bent downwardly and providing a bearing surface adapted to engage the bearing seat, an iNner end portion provided with a top bearing means adapted to overlie the top surface of the rail flange, said plate being cut along lines generally parallel with and spaced inwardly from said side edges and extending between said end portions but not through at least said inner end portion to provide side strip means in the form of a pair of coplanar side strips and a central strip means, both of said strip means being integrally connected across at least the inner end of said fastener by said inner end portion, said central strip means having a passageway disposed between said end portions for receiving a fastening member, one of said strip means being downwardly offset with respect to the other said strip means and extending inwardly adjacent to the bottom of said downwardly bent portion generally parallel with the other said strip means, the inner end of said one strip means having upwardly bent leg means comprising lateral bearing means adapted to engage an edge of the rail flange in use of said rail fastener.
 18. A rail fastener for securing the flange of a rail to a supporting cross member having a bearing seat spaced from the rail flange, said fastener comprising a plate having: spaced apart, opposite side edges, an outer end portion bent downwardly and providing a bearing surface adapted to engage the bearing seat, an inner end portion provided with a top bearing means adapted to overlie the top surface of the rail flange, said plate being cut along lines generally parallel with and spaced inwardly from said side edges and extending between but not through said end portions to provide side strip means in the form of a pair of coplanar side strips and a central strip means, both of said strip means being integrally connected across the ends of said fastener by said end portion, said central strip means having a passageway disposed between said end portions for receiving a fastening member, one of said strip means being downwardly offset with respect to the other said strip means and extending inwardly from said downwardly bent outer end portion downwardly spaced from and generally parallel with the other said strip means, the inner end of said one strip means having upwardly bent leg means comprising lateral bearing means adapted to engage an edge of the rail flange, said one strip means holding said bearing surface and said leg means in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship.
 19. A rail fastener for securing the flange of a rail to a supporting cross member having a bearing seat spaced from the rail flange, said fastener comprising a plate having: spaced apart, opposite side edges, an outer end portion bent downwardly and then outwardly and upwardly to form a downwardly offset, U-shaped channel having a convex outer bearing surface adapted to engage the bearing seat; an inner end portion provided with a top bearing means adapted to overlie the top surface of the rail flange, said plate being cut along lines generally parallel with and spaced inwardly from said side edges and extending between but not through said end portions to provide side strip means in the form of a pair of coplanar side strips and a central strip means, both of said strip means being integrally connected across the ends of said fastener by said end portions, said central strip means having a passageway disposed between said end portions for receiving a fastening member, one of said strip means being downwardly offset with respect to the other said strip means and extending inwardly adjacent to the bottom of said U-shaped channel generally parallel with the other said strip means, the inner end of said one strip means having upwardly bent leg means comprising lateral bearing means adapted to engage an edge of the rail flange, said one strip means holding said bearing surface of said U-shaped channel and said leg means in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship.
 20. A rail fastener for seCuring the flange of a rail to a supporting cross member having a bearing seat spaced from the rail flange, said fastener comprising a plate having: spaced apart, opposite side edges, an outer end portion bent downwardly and then outwardly and upwardly to form a downwardly offset, U-shaped channel having a convex outer bearing surface adapted to engage the bearing seat, an inner end portion provided with a top bearing means adapted to overlie the top surface of the rail flange, said plate being cut along lines generally parallel with and spaced inwardly from said side edges and extending between but not through said end portions to provide a pair of coplanar side strips and a central strip all of which are integrally connected across the ends of said fastener by said end portion, said central strip having a passageway disposed between said end portion for receiving a fastening member, said side strips being downwardly offset with respect to said central strip and extending inwardly adjacent to the bottom of said U-shaped channel generally parallel with said central strip, the inner ends of said pair of side strips having upwardly bent legs comprising lateral bearing means adapted to engage an edge of the rail flange, said side strips holding said bearing surface of said U-shaped channel and said legs in a substantially fixed spaced apart relationship. 